Around the Arch Blog

Reno City Council approved a staff recommendation to layoff up to 200 employees to balance an additional $5 million shortfall in this year’s budget. The reduction in staff will save millions towards making up a projected $30 million shortfall for next fiscal year, which begins July 1st.

Reno Council Members Sharon Zadra and Jessica Sferrazza began the Spring series of their informal outreach “Fresh Air, New Ideas” at Dragonfies Cafe and Gift Shop. A number of residents talked about ideas for improving Reno’s economy. The Council women held the gathering at the Cafe to acquaint residents with the business and its goals. Dragonflies is a non-profit that helps families, mostly single women get jobs and a stable lifestyle. [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5MH3EvSzbUg]

Here’s an interesting fact. April 2010 marks the 42nd anniversary of the Federal Housing Act, Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968. As amended (1988) the Federal Housing Act provides equal opportunity for all Americans in the sale, rental, and financing of housing, and prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, familial status, and handicap.

To honor this anniversay and to urge all citizens to join the City of Reno in recognizing Silver State Fair Housing Council and its importance in our community, Mayor Cashell proclaimed April 2010 as Fair Housing Month.

Silver State Fair Housing Council is a non-profit agency working since 1989 to ensure equal housing opportunity for all people in Nevada. For more information about the Silver State Fair Housing Council visit www.silverstatefairhousing.org.

The City of Reno supports the efforts of the Silver State Fair Housing Council and all other agencies pursuing fair housing.

To learn more about how the City of Reno is working to provide decent affordable housing, developing suitable living environments, and creating expanded economic opportunities for the community visit www.reno.gov, click “I Want to Learn About” then “Housing” or www.reno.gov/Index.aspx?page=696.

The City of Reno and the Reno Redevelopment Agency are striving to help local businesses experiencing challenges during the economic downturn. One way they are doing this is by helping small business owners secure financing. 

Last Wednesday, the City Council approved a contract with Nevada Microenterprise Initiative (NMI), a private non-profit agency, to administer the Greater Reno Opportunities for Business (GROBusiness) Program. It is funded entirely by the City’s Community Development Block Grants from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

The GROBusiness Program is offered to qualifying new or expanding businesses in the City of Reno. Additional services through NMI include counseling and guidance to assist with maintaining a viable business, technical assistance, ongoing training, networking, and oversight. For more information about the GROBusiness Program contact the Nevada Microenterprise Initiative at 775-324-1812.

 To learn more about programs and services available visit www.reno.gov, click on Newsroom, then Current Issues, and Recovery & Reinvestment or www.reno.gov/Index.aspx?page=2037.

Council Member Dwight Dortch read the proclamation declaring April 4-10 Reno Community Development Week. Community Investment Manager Jodi Royal-Goodwin accepted the proclamation thanking the Council for their commitment to the program, which has been very busy with new President Obama Incentive Programs to help residents.

Council Member Sharon Zadra presented the proclamation to Phillip Ulibarri from the Development Office at the Washoe County Health Department. The proclamation seeks to raise awareness of the problem in our community Ulibarri noted some national child abuse statistics that have found that nearly five children die every day as a result of child abuse and more than three out of four are under the age of four-years-old.

On this Council Connection, Reno Council Member Dave Aiazzi discusses City action to consolidate services and share services with Washoe County and the City of Sparks. [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lT1jMJ7RXfk]

Thanks to the Ward Two Central Neighborhood Advisory Board (NAB) area residents will be able to enjoy the water play feature at Yori Park.

At last Wednesday’s Reno City Council Meeting, the Council approved a request from Ward Two Central NAB for $3,000 in Community Pride Grant (CPG) funds to the City of Reno Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department. The CPG funds will be used to offset operating expenses associated with the water play feature at Yori Park.

Yori Park is a heavily used neighborhood park with a popular water play feature. Without the CPG allocation this feature would not be operational this summer due to budget restrictions. Turning the water play area on at Yori Park this summer encourages family visits while providing free entertainment and relief during the summer months.

Each NAB’s CPG funds are designed to be used for neighborhood-specific projects. These funds are allocated to projects that the City may not have budgeted for that the NAB would like to expedite. Funds are generally intended for projects that are short term in nature and quick to implement. While funding is recommended by the boards, its use and expenditure are guided by established city procurement, expenditure procedures, and ground rules.

I’m sure many of you are tired like I am of seeing the many fliers that are plastered all over the poles throughout our city. It makes our beautiful city look horrible and I for one take pride in my town so I don’t want to see this. Not to mention, these signs often blow away and litter our city. Very bad.

Do you know it’s not only horrible to look at but it’s actually illegal to post signs just anywhere? Many individuals and businesses are finding out that posting these signs are in violation of Reno Municipal Codes. It is legal to post these signs on private property with the owner’s permission.

On Wednesday, the Code Enforcement Division spent four hours cleaning up almost 1,000 illegally posted signs in the downtown corridor. That’s just in four hours! The signs taken down advertised for a variety of businesses, bands, or concert venues. If Code Enforcement is able to track where the signs came from those business or individuals will receive a warning letter. If some have already received a letter in the past or if they continue to post after receiving the letter then the citation process starts. The first notice is $100, 2nd is $250, 3rd is $500, and 4th & all subsequent is $1000. The notice advises to remove all signs currently and not to post in the future. If it is deemed a chronic problem of a business posting illegal signs, Code Enforcement has the authority to pursue a suspension of the business license.

I think it’s great that Code Enforcement is working at improving our city especially during these times when we are trying to keep visitors, attract new ones, and keep residents enjoying our area. In case you don’t know what Code Enforcement does, the division assists to enforce the Reno Municipal Code as it applies to property maintenance, property nuisances, and other issues in residential and commercial zoning districts.

Reno Council Member Dave Aiazzi discusses need to let residents know that the budget cuts will need to consider an 18-month to 2 year impact of the downturn in the economy. He wants residents to help the City decide what services to provide.